To celebrate the holiday, there are a handful of traditions I look forward to year after year.

Setting The Table

My mother taught me at a young age the importance of setting a table. Even if you’re serving take out, plating it on a dish really sets and elevates the tone for a family meal. On Christmas Eve, my family typically went out for dinner, but we always made a home cooked meal for Christmas Day. There is something about family, gathered around the table together enjoying a meal that creates special memories.

Christmas Cookies

In keeping with a Boova family Christmas tradition, Wes and I baked my Nana’s peanut butter kiss cookies. I have such sweet memories spending the holiday with my cousins and grandparents in Hershey, PA each Christmas. Although we won’t be together in person this year, I’m glad we all be enjoying these cookies together, from afar. If you recognize these classic Peanut Butter Blossoms Cookies with Hershey’s Kisses – here you may find the delicious recipe.

Gingerbread House

Maybe it’s the designer in me, but even as a child, I absolutely loved decorating gingerbread houses. Building one with Wesleigh this year was definitely a test in patience as she tried to eat most of the candy decorations (and walls)!

Christmas Eve Gifting

Another tradition I’m looking forward to this Christmas Eve is opening one present. I forget when this started, but my mother was always so excited to open the gifts (she bought for herself, mind you) so one year on Christmas Eve we began a new tradition of opening one gift each. The rest were saved for Christmas morning. This ritual is special to me because it’s something my parents and I started together, that now I get to continue doing with Wes.  

Giving Back

I’ve mentioned this previously, the importance of giving back. Whether it’s a fit between a passion and meeting a need or supporting a cause after a loved one gets sick, everyone in my family gives back in different ways throughout the year.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions and ways to give back?

Images by Julia D’Agostino

The post Five Favorite Family Traditions for Christmas first appeared on Lindsey Boova.

The pandemic has taken its toll on each of us, in many different ways, and now more than ever, it’s important to give back, especially during the holidays to those who need extra support and love.

Here are five acts of kindness your family can do together to support local communities and those in need during the 2020 holiday season.

1. Donate to Local Organizations

Spend a rainy day going through closets and clearing out gently used, unworn clothing or other products such as baby items, toys and books. Donate them to your local shelter. If you’re here in lower Fairfield County, CT consider:

• DOMUS, Stamford – Domus builds loving relationships with young people facing adversity, empowering them to pursue their path to self-sufficiency.

• Family & Children’s Aid, Danbury – Family & Children’s Aid (FCA) is a child-focused 501©(3) not-for-profit organization offering high quality, innovative mental health care for children and their families.

• Person-to-Person, Darien – Person-to-Person provides individuals and families with assistance for basic needs to overcome daily challenges and access to resources to improve their lives.

• Mothers for Others, Greenwich – Mothers for Others supports the well-being of underserved families by providing diapers and baby equipment for children from birth to 3 years old.

• Malta House, Norwalk – Malta House is the only home for pregnant women above the age of 18 in Fairfield County, and one of a limited number of programs for young homeless mothers and their babies.

2. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Send a printable or e-holiday card created by a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s patient or send online holiday messages to the children of St. Jude.

3. USPS Operation Santa

Read letters from Santa’s mailroom and adopt a letter from an individual or family, that resonates with you. Find the perfect gift, anonymously wrap the package and bring it to a participating Post Office by December 19^th.

4. Corporate Social Responsibility

Consider purchasing your holiday gifts from brands that give back. It’s incredible how many companies are now founded on the principles of social and environmental responsibility, making consumers want to support them. A few brands doing corporate social responsibility successfully you should recognize, celebrate and consider supporting are:

• Bombas – “Our mission since day one has been to help those experiencing homelessness. That’s why for every item you purchase, we donate an item on your behalf. We thought this was a pretty good idea. Turns out a lot of other people did, too. We’ve donated more than 40 million items to more than 2,500 community organizations to date—all thanks to supporters like you.”

• Dr. Bronners – “1^st: If not for me, who am I? Nobody! 2^nd: Yet, if I’m only for me, what am I? Nothing! 3^rd: If not now, when?!” So begins Emanuel Bronner’s Moral ABC. The message is clear: We are responsible for ourselves but also each other, and as we grow, we must grow responsibly…. Regenerative organic farming projects—soil enrichment and tree-planting programs—100% post-consumer recycled packaging—aggressive waste and water-use reduction—yes!… Carrying forward that same activist spirit, it is our mission to continue to use the company today to fight for and financially support causes we believe in: regenerative agriculture, fair trade, animal advocacy, industrial hemp and drug policy reform, and living wages among others. We call ourselves the “fighting soap company,” and are committed and strategic in the causes we fight for.”

• Patagonia – “We’ve built robust environmental and animal welfare responsibility programs to guide how we make our materials and products. Patagonia’s self-imposed Earth tax, 1% for the Planet, provides support to environmental nonprofits working to defend our air, land and water around the globe.”

• TOMS – “TOMS® has always stood for a better tomorrow–one where humanity thrives. To us, that means no matter who you are or where you live, you feel physically safe, mentally healthy, and have equal access to opportunity. Every TOMS purchase enables us to invest in local partners around the world who are working to create positive change in these three areas. TOMS is in business to improve lives. Shop with confidence knowing that for every $3 we make, we give $1 away.”

• Warby Parker – “Warby Parker was founded with a rebellious spirit and a lofty objective: to offer designer eyewear at a revolutionary price, while leading the way for socially conscious businesses. Buy a pair, give a pair.”

5. Animal Advocacy

If there is anything to know about me, know that I really love my dog, who I refer to as a people. And all dogs, so really, all people. If you’re like me and want to give back to our four-legged best friends, consider donating food and supplies to local organizations, or adopting/fostering if you are able to. Every fur-baby deserves a loving home.

• OPIN, Riverside – OPIN was co-founded by shelter volunteers and is an all-volunteer registered 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our mission is to promote adoption of homeless animals, and to provide assistance to pets in need through medical treatment, training, and education.

The post Five Ways You Can Give Back this Holiday Season first appeared on Lindsey Boova.